The Size, Place of Birth, and Geographic Distribution of the Foreign-Born Population in the United States: 1960 to 2010

Elizabeth M. Grieco, U.S. Census Bureau
Luke J. Larsen, U.S. Census Bureau
Edward N. Trevelyan, U.S. Census Bureau

During the last 50 years, the foreign-born population of the United States has undergone dramatic changes, shifting from an older, predominantly European population settled in the Northeast and Midwest to a younger, predominantly Latin American and Asian population settled in the West and South. This paper uses data from the 1960 to 2000 decennial censuses and the 2010 American Community Survey to describe changes in the size, origins, and geographic distribution of the foreign-born population. First, the historical growth of the foreign-born population is reviewed. Next, changes in the distribution by region/country of birth are discussed, focusing on the simultaneous decline of the foreign born from Europe and increase from Latin America and Asia. The geographic distribution among the states and regions within the United States will then be reviewed. This paper will conclude with a brief discussion of how the foreign-born population has contributed to the growth of the total population over the last 50 years.